Goverment supports Bill to challenge discriminatory mental health law

Responding to the debate on behalf of the
government, Lord Wallace of Saltaire revealed that the government
fully supports the bill and is committed to ensuring it becomes law
even if there is not sufficient time in this Parliamentary
session.

Professor Sue Bailey, President of the Royal
College of Psychiatrists, said: "We are delighted that this
Bill has received such strong government support today. The College
has worked closely with Lord Stevenson on this Bill and we are
proud to be involved. The Government has already voiced its
commitment to removing the stigma associated with mental health
problems and this Bill goes some way to rectify this. The fact that
you can be turned down for jury service, or be removed from your
job as an MP, school governor or company director because of mental
health problems, is discriminatory and outdated."

The Bill aims to:

Repeal section 141 of the Mental Health Act 1983, under which a
Member of the House of Commons, Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly
or Northern Ireland Assembly automatically loses their seat if they
are sectioned under the Mental Health Act for more than six
months;